Prince William and Prince Harry’s immediate families are well known and constantly in the spotlight. Yet little is known about many of their relatives, except for only the most hard-core royal watchers and historians.
For example, Princess Diana’s uncle on her mom’s side was Edmund Roche, who was married to Lavinia Frances Elizabeth Pitman. They had four children, including the Honorable Edmund Hugh Burke Roche (and “the 5th Baron Fermoy”). Edmund married Phillipa Katie Victoria Long, and they had three children. So that makes Edmund and Princess Diana first cousins, and their respective children are second cousins to each other. Additionally, the great-grandmother of Edmund’s children (Prince William and Prince Harry’s second cousins), Lady Ruth Fermoy, served as a prominent lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother.
And among these three cousins, one of them was Rosie Roche.
Up until recently, not much had been known about Rosie despite her royal connections. She was a bright and highly accomplished first-year undergraduate student at Durham University in northern England. She was pursuing her passion for the arts by studying English literature and actively contributed to a local student arts and culture publication. According to one person who had been close to Rosie, she had settled into college beautifully, earning a reputation among peers for her immense creativity, vibrant energy, and deep love for books, poetry, and world travel.
Which is why Rosie’s sudden and tragic death has left family, friends, and university peers reeling. Roche was discovered deceased in her Wiltshire home on July 14, and new reports confirm the cause of death as a “traumatic head injury,” according to sources including The Independent, The Gazette, The Herald, and The Daily Mail.
Rosie was reportedly found by her mother and sister while she was in the midst of packing for a trip with friends. A firearm was discovered nearby, leading to immediate concern. However, authorities have since ruled out any foul play.
“There are no suspicious circumstances,” Wiltshire Police said in a statement to The Independent, confirming that the case does not involve third-party involvement. Coroner Grant Davies also noted that law enforcement had “deemed the death as non-suspicious.”
An inquest later revealed that Rosie died from a severe, traumatic head injury, and emergency services found a firearm located close to her body. Local authorities, including the Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court, immediately launched a formal investigation into the sudden incident. Area coroner Grant Davies quickly confirmed that local police thoroughly reviewed the evidence and officially ruled the death as entirely non-suspicious. Their investigative report explicitly stated that there was absolutely no third-party involvement or external foul play linked to her tragic passing.
The sudden loss left her immediate family completely devastated, including her parents, Hugh and Pippa Roche, and her loving siblings, Archie and Agatha. Her family published an emotional death notice in the Yorkshire Post to honor her memory, describing her as a darling daughter and an incredible sister. The family requested strict privacy while announcing arrangements for a private family funeral, noting that a broader public memorial service would follow at a later date. Buckingham Palace and the royal brothers chose not to issue public statements regarding the private tragedy.
“She was loved for her creativity, energy, her love of books, poetry and travel among many other talents,” said Professor Wendy Powers, the college principal. “Staff and students are extremely saddened by her death.”
A spokeswoman for the family told The Sun that Rosie “will be sorely missed,” while her family’s obituary, published in the Yorkshire Post, offered a touching tribute: “Rosie Jeanne Burke Roche. Died on Monday 14th July 2025. Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, Granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.”
The obituary also noted that “a memorial service will be held at a later date,” giving family and friends time to gather and honor Rosie’s memory.
Roche’s sudden passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from both the university community and those connected to the extended royal family. Her vibrant spirit and academic promise left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
While the official investigation has concluded with no signs of suspicious activity, the impact of her loss continues to ripple through her loved ones’ lives.
As the royal family remains quiet on the matter, the focus remains on respecting the family’s privacy and honoring the young woman remembered as a cherished daughter, sister, and friend.
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